2017 FloXC CountdownSep 7, 2017 by Lincoln Shryack
2017 FloXC Countdown: #8 Cal Poly Pomona Men
2017 FloXC Countdown: #8 Cal Poly Pomona Men
2017 FloXC Countdown: #8 Cal Poly Pomona
Follow our 2017 FloXC Countdown, where FloTrack ranks the top ten cross country teams and individuals in the NCAA this season which will be LIVE on FloTrack. The No. 8 men's spot goes to Cal Poly Pomona, and here's why:
SR Ruben Dominguez (8:28 3K; 14:04 5K; 23rd at '16 NCAA XC)
SR Grant Stromberg (14:33 5K; 74th at '16 NCAA XC)
SR Christian Rodriguez (14:34 5K; 190th at '16 NCAA XC)
SO Adrian Diaz (9:19 3200M; 15:23 5K)
JR Devon Reed (8:39 3K; 14:56 5K; 213rd at '15 NCAA XC)
The Broncos from Cal Poly Pomona have placed in the top 10 at NCAAs for the last two seasons, and they have the potential to make it three in a row with a strong trio of seniors leading the way. Despite graduating three of their top five from their eighth-place team in 2016, the Broncos retain No. 1 man and All-American Ruben Dominguez and two other impact seniors who have excelled on grass.
Dominguez is the clear top dog after his 23rd-place finish last fall. He followed an excellent fall with a solid spring, lowering his 5K PR by nine seconds to 14:04. Dominguez has improved on his NCAA XC finish each season (101st in 2014, 88th in 2015, 23rd in 2016) and there's no reason to think he won't continue that trend this year.
The pair behind the Broncos' ace will be key. Grant Stromberg finished a solid 74th, and despite having a less-than-stellar track season, the senior has solid PRs that suggest a higher finish this November could be in order. Even less certain, however, is Christian Rodriguez, who showed tremendous potential last fall by beating Dominguez twice. One of those times was at the conference championships, where Rodriguez was the Broncos' top runner. Unfortunately, he was only 190th at NCAAs.
Losing 60 percent of their NCAA scorers leaves Cal Poly Pomona with some holes to fill in their quest to stay among DII's best. Fortunately, they return their most important piece and two other experienced seniors who have the ability to replicate the performances of their departed teammates. That fact plus the addition of some new talented fourth and fifth runners should keep the Broncos quite competitive.
FULL MEN'S RANKINGS HERE
Probable Top Five:
SR Ruben Dominguez (8:28 3K; 14:04 5K; 23rd at '16 NCAA XC)
SR Grant Stromberg (14:33 5K; 74th at '16 NCAA XC)
SR Christian Rodriguez (14:34 5K; 190th at '16 NCAA XC)
SO Adrian Diaz (9:19 3200M; 15:23 5K)
JR Devon Reed (8:39 3K; 14:56 5K; 213rd at '15 NCAA XC)
Analysis:
The Broncos from Cal Poly Pomona have placed in the top 10 at NCAAs for the last two seasons, and they have the potential to make it three in a row with a strong trio of seniors leading the way. Despite graduating three of their top five from their eighth-place team in 2016, the Broncos retain No. 1 man and All-American Ruben Dominguez and two other impact seniors who have excelled on grass.
Dominguez is the clear top dog after his 23rd-place finish last fall. He followed an excellent fall with a solid spring, lowering his 5K PR by nine seconds to 14:04. Dominguez has improved on his NCAA XC finish each season (101st in 2014, 88th in 2015, 23rd in 2016) and there's no reason to think he won't continue that trend this year.
The pair behind the Broncos' ace will be key. Grant Stromberg finished a solid 74th, and despite having a less-than-stellar track season, the senior has solid PRs that suggest a higher finish this November could be in order. Even less certain, however, is Christian Rodriguez, who showed tremendous potential last fall by beating Dominguez twice. One of those times was at the conference championships, where Rodriguez was the Broncos' top runner. Unfortunately, he was only 190th at NCAAs.
Losing 60 percent of their NCAA scorers leaves Cal Poly Pomona with some holes to fill in their quest to stay among DII's best. Fortunately, they return their most important piece and two other experienced seniors who have the ability to replicate the performances of their departed teammates. That fact plus the addition of some new talented fourth and fifth runners should keep the Broncos quite competitive.
FULL MEN'S RANKINGS HERE